Samsung Note 5, S6 Edge Plus vs. the Competition

Samsung now has two flagship phablets in the Samsung Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus. But how do they stack up to the other top big-screen phones on the market? Here's a spec-by-spec breakdown.

Display

Starting with the display size and resolution, the two Samsung phones are both larger than the iPhone 6 Plus, the OnePlus 2 and the LG G4, all of which have 5.5-inch displays. And, with the exception of the G4, the Samsung phablets have a higher resolution, too.

Processor and RAM

With the same processor as in the Galaxy S6--which we judged to be the world's fastest smartphone--the Exynos 7420 processor in the Note 5 and S6 Edge Plus should be capable of some serious crunching. Add in an extra 1GB of RAM, and you should have more than enough power for the edge display and the pen apps.

Cameras

Both the Note 5 and the S6 Edge Plus have the same 16-megapixel rear camera as on the S6, but the front camera has been upgraded to 5MP, which means you should get sharper selfies. The iPhone 6 Plus has a paltry 1.2-MP shooter. Also, a new feature will allow you to stream live video straight to YouTube (a la Periscope and Meerkat), from within the camera app itself.

Size and Weight

At 6.03 and 5.4 ounces, respectively, the Note 5 and the S6 Edge Plus are among the lighter phablets around, especially considering their larger screen sizes. The OnePlus 2 is a somewhat light 5.47 ounces, while the iPhone 6 Plus and G4 both tip the scales at 6 ounces.

Battery

The 3,300 mAh battery in the Note 5 and S6 Edge Plus is larger than the iPhone 6 Plus, the same size as the G4, but smaller than the OnePlus 2. However, larger size doesn't necessarily translate to longer battery life. The iPhone 6 Plus lasted 10 hours on our battery test, while the G4 lasted just 7:38, most likely owing to its higher-resolution display.

Bottom Line

The Galaxy S6 Edge Plus and Galaxy Note 5 both look like compelling phablets versus the competition, especially when it comes to the relative light weight and small size of the Edge Plus. You get a bigger 5.7-inch screen than the competition in a lighter and more compact design. Samsung's speedy Exynos processor also shouldn't be overlooked. But we'll have to wait until our full review to find out how both phones perform.